The Chichibu area is known for its Dahlia. The Dahlia Garden at Mt Ryokami Fumoto Hana no Sato is one of the largest and most popular places to see Dahlia in Saitama. It has an average rating of 4.2 (out of 5) from 449 reviews on Google Maps. The gardenRead More →
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus outbreak the pools did not open in 2020. And they have confirmed that they will not open in 2021 either. Toda Summer Pool for kids at Kodomo No Kuni. Kodomo no Kuni is the name of the Children’s Center in Toda city, Saitama. Among theirRead More →
The Okegawa Gion Festival has been celebrated for approximately the last 280 years. Okegawa city is not a particularly famous or popular city in contemporary society, but once upon a time it was a key commercial hub along the Nakasendo Path. The Nakasendo Road was like a highway that connectedRead More →
A post for both Konamon no Hi “Flour Day” and Pancake Tuesday! It includes a recipe for pancakes with a Japanese twist. Pancake Tuesday needs little introduction in the ‘West’, but Konamon no Hi is unique to Japan. Konamon no Hi こなもんの日 falls on May 7th annually. Kona means flourRead More →
Every September in the City of Kazo there is a fire walking ceremony. It is called Shūki taisai saitō goma hiwatari-shiki in Japanese; 柴燈護摩火渡り式. “Hiwatari” literally means fire crossing and that’s exactly what you do at this ceremony. The ceremony is steeped in ritual and history and has been practisedRead More →
Kamitome Festival: Experience life like a local at this annual local traditional festival in Miyoshi Town in Saitama Prefecture. Read More →
Information for the Gyoda Ukijyo Matsuri or Gyoda Floating Castle Festival 行田浮き城祭り in 2023. Gyoda Floating Castle Festival The Gyoda Floating Castle Festival is on the last Saturday and Sunday of July every year. However, the festival was cancelled between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic. The festival getsRead More →
For the first time in four years, there will be a summer festival at the west gate of Omiya Station in 2023. Last year, there was no festival, but they did display the portable shrine (mikoshi) at the station on July 31st. Because this festival is celebrated on July 31stRead More →
Yokoze Puppet Play – Every May on the second Sunday of the month there is a very special event in Yokoze. The famous puppet play of Yokoze, which is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Saitama. One person magically operates the puppets in this mesmerizing puppet theater. He uses whatRead More →
The Misato “Big Bon” dance festival was held annually on August 11th, a public holiday for mountain day, before the pandemic. However, in 2023, it is on August 5th instead. It takes place in Niodori Park in Misato City, near Misato Chuo Station on the Tsukuba Express line. The danceRead More →